Subsidised hospital beds in economic downturn

24 Mar 2009

Question No:  964  

Question

Name of the Person: Mdm Halimah Yacob

To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether there are sufficient subsidised beds available in the public hospitals to meet the increasing number of patients who opt to seek treatment at public hospitals during the economic downturn; (b) what measures will be taken to address the shortage; and (c) what is the average waiting time for admission into public hospitals for elective and non-elective surgeries.

Reply

Reply From MOH

1. We have been increasing the number of subsidised beds to cope with rising demand as a result of expanding population and ageing.  For example, we added 133 subsidised beds in 2007, and another 125 in 2008.  This year, we will add another 34 subsidised hospital beds.  This will give us a total stock of 3,656 subsidised hospital beds.

2. The pressure for subsidised beds will be further relieved when Khoo Teck Puat Hospital opens next year as it will add another 330 subsidised beds, almost 10% of our current stock of beds. 

3. For patients requiring emergency surgery, there is no waiting.  They are promptly attended to upon triage at the A&E.

4. As for subsidised patients requiring elective surgery, the waiting time varies with the speciality.  Almost all elective surgeries are carried out within 40 days, which is not bad.